Prizes on offer for those who sign up and take a 10 minute bike ride
A social enterprise is trying to get the capital’s workforce back into the saddle by putting employees into competition with their fellow colleagues from other organisations.
Love to Ride has launched Edinburgh Cycle Challenge, a friendly competition between organisations to see which can get the most staff to try riding a bike.
The aim is to get as many people as possible to cycle for 10 minutes or more and log their trip.
Riding a bike is brilliant for the environment, your health and the community
Over 80 Edinburgh-based organisations and close to 600 people have already registered online, including charities, higher and further education providers, local businesses and large private sector employers.
The three week event runs from 1-21 March is funded by City of Edinburgh Council. It is free to all organisations and individuals living or working in Edinburgh.
Organisers, Love to Ride, say workplaces and employees will achieve a range of great benefits by taking part, including positive health and wellbeing, reduced environmental impact and less pressure on facilities such as car parking.
The social enterprise is trying to create a behavioural change on how people travel in the city and as an incentive prizes are also on offer to anyone who signs up and takes part, whether they log a one or 100 mile ride.
Prizes include bikes from Hart’s Cyclery and the Edinburgh Bike Cooperative, a hotel stay, cinema tickets and a selection of cycling gear and vouchers.
Claire Connachan, Love to Ride challenge manager for the Edinburgh initiative, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to encourage more people to rediscover the joys of cycling.
“Riding a bike is brilliant for the environment, your health and the community and the Edinburgh Cycle Challenge gives people and organisations the opportunity to experience these benefits with some amazing prizes as incentives.
“Ten minutes is all it takes to remember how much fun riding a bike is, and the challenge is a great way to inspire occasional and non-cyclists to get back into cycling, whilst also rewarding regular riders. I’d encourage everyone to get involved, get riding and winning some fantastic prizes!”
To find out more about the Edinburgh Cycle Challenge and to register, visit lovetoride.net/edinburgh.
